Coffee Capsule with Diffuser for Single Serve Brewer

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed toward a capsule for use in a single serve beverage brewing machine. The capsule forms a chamber with a film cover sealing the chamber for the brewing of a beverage. At the base of the capsule the external wall of the capsule protrudes into the body of the capsule chamber to form a diffuser. The base of the paper filter cup rests on the diffuser. The top rim of the paper filter cup is attached to the film cover. Between the walls of the paper filter cup and the external capsule wall is a vertical flow channel. During the brewing process water initially flows through the extractable ingredient in the paper filter, circulates upward within the vertical flow channel, back through the paper filter, and recirculates through the extractable ingredient.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the brewing of single serve beveragesand more particularly to a capsule for preparing a beverage containingextractable beverage ingredients such as coffee in a beverage productionmachine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Single serve beverage brewing capsules are popular and well known. Theyprovide a convenient and easy means for individuals to brew coffee ortea in a limited amount. In the standard embodiment of the prior art,the beverage capsule is formed from a small cup of thermoplasticmaterial. The cup has a flat circular base and cylindrical side walls.The top of the cup is sealed with a film of aluminum or plastic. Thiscreates an airtight chamber within the cup. The walls may be taperedsuch that the diameter at the top of the cup is larger than the diameterat the bottom of the cup. The bottom of the cup may have a smallcircular indentation in the center of the base. The small circularindentation may be about half of the diameter of the base and hasnegligible depth.

Inside this cup is placed a paper filter. The substance which isintended to brewed, such as coffee or tea, is ground into a powder andplaced into the paper filter. The paper filter is welded to the top ofthe cup and narrows in diameter toward the bottom, creating an emptyspace between the wall of the cup and the paper filter toward the bottomof the cup. When placed in a machine for brewing, the machine puncturesa hole in through the film with a water pipe. The water pipe pumps hotpressurized water into the cup. The hot pressurized water passes throughthe grounds and extracts soluables from the grounds to create thebeverage. Shortly after the hot pressurized water is pumped into thecup, a hole is punctured into the base of the cup to allow the brewedbeverage to drain out of capsule and into a cup.

Standard single serve beverage cups are limited in construction.Beverages such as coffee or tea brew by a specific extraction process.This extraction process depends on a series of factors, including thesize of the ground particulate material, the temperature of the water,and the length of time that the water and the particulate materialinteract. As the length of time of the interaction between the water andthe particulate material increases, more extraction of the particulatematerial occurs. More extraction creates a more flavorful and desireablebeverage. Machines designed to utilize single serve capsules have a setperiod of time programmed for the interaction of the water and theparticulate material before the hole in the bottom of the capsule ispunctured and the water is released from the capsule. The moment thewater leaves the capsule, the extraction process ceases. Because userscannot change the length of time the machine leaves the water in thecapsule, there is no means for a user to create a more robust andflavorful beverage based on varying the machine settings.

Another limitation of the standard single serve capsule is that the flowof the water within the capsule does not occur in a manner whichenhances the interaction between the water and the grounds. Pressurizedhot water is pumped in through the top water pipe. As the hot waterreaches the capsule, the liquid expands out to fill all available spacewithin the capsule. This causes the water to flow immediately throughthe grounds and filter and into the void area under the filter. Becausepressurized hot water is continuously pumped in, water that has alreadypassed through the filter does not move upward to interact with thegrounds a second time.

Additional prior art is known which attempts to solve this problem. U.S.Pat. No. 8,263,148, Yoakim, et al. attempts to solve this problem byrestricting the outward flow of the water from the capsule and maintainthe internal pressure of the capsule to present a longer period of timefor the interaction of the water and the particulate material. This isperformed by means of two layers of paper filters that restrict the flowof water away from the particulate material. This solution is limited inthat it requires additional material to be utilized in the constructionof the capsule which increases the cost of production. Furthermore, itpresents risk of loss of effectiveness if the layers of the paperfilters become separated during the manufacturing process and is notperceived during the quality control process. Furthermore, it does notchange the flow of the water in the capsule. The hot water still passesover the particulate material once.

Standard coffee brewing methods teach that hot water is passed over thecoffee grounds once for extraction. Standard capsules are designed toreproduce this method of brewing. Once hot water passes through thecoffee grounds in a capsule the pressure of the continuous water inputprevents the resulting brew from reinteracting with the coffee grounds.Besides the standard method of brewing coffee, the Turkish brewingmethod teaches that the water and the coffee grounds interact multipletimes to increase the amount of extraction. In the Turkish method, thewater and coffee grounds are boiled in a pot. The mixture is brought toa boil three times. This boiling method results in a turbulent mixturebetween the water and coffee grounds and increases the extraction of thecoffee which produces a robust and flavorful coffee. What is needed is asingle serve capsule that recreates the turbulent interaction betweenthe water and coffee that occurs in the Turkish coffee brewing methodand causes the hot water to pass over the coffee grounds multiple times.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed toward a single serve capsule for use in acoffee brewing machine. The cup base contains a diffuser which protrudesinto the body of the capsule. When the hot pressurized water is pumpedinto the capsule the water passes through the particulate material andthe paper filter, creating an extract. As the resulting extractencounters the diffuser, the extract is forced laterally. This resultingturbulence causes the extract to recircle back through the paper filteralong the outer wall of the capsule. The extract has a second chance tointeract with the particulate material, increasing the amount ofextract.

The invention displays improved extraction results when compared overthe prior art. Tests on conventional single serve capsules display testresults showing that the resulting brewed beverage results in 15.27%extraction with 0.771% of brewed solids. The identical tests performedon the invention display test results showing that the resulting brewedbeverage results in in 17.56% extraction with 0.883% of brewed solids.

The invention is directed toward a capsule for producing a beverage in abeverage production machine comprising an external capsule wall forminga chamber for the brewing of an instant beverage, a film cover, a paperfilter cup, and an extractable beverage ingredient. In this embodimentof the invention the external capsule wall has an upper edge, the filmcover is sealed to the upper edge of the external capsule wall, thepaper filter cup is within the chamber of the external capsule wall, theextractable beverage ingredient is within the paper filter cup, and theexternal capsule wall includes a diffuser protruding into the capsulechamber from the base of the capsule.

In another embodiment of the invention the top rim of the paper filtercup may be attached to the film cover. Furthermore, the paper filter cupmay be cylindrical in shape. The top diameter of the paper filter cup isbetween 1.5 inches and 1.75 inches and the bottom diameter of the baseof the paper filter cup is between 1.25 inches and 1.5 inches. Thevertical length of the paper filter cup is 1.25 inches. Furthermore, thebase of the paper filter cup rests on the diffuser. In addition, thisembodiment may further comprise a vertical flow channel between the wallof the paper filter cup and the external capsule wall wherein thevertical flow channel extends the entire vertical length of the wall ofthe paper filter cup. Furthermore the vertical flow channel surroundsthe entire circumference of the paper filter cup. The diffuser may becylindrical in shape. The diffuser may be between 0.5 inches and 0.75inches in diameter. In one specific embodiment the diffuser has adiameter of 0.5 inches. In one specific version of this embodiment thetop diameter of the paper filter cup is 1.5 inches and the bottomdiameter of the base of the paper filter cup is 1.25 inches. In anotherspecific version of this embodiment the top diameter of the paper filtercup is 1.75 inches and the bottom diameter of the base of the paperfilter cup is 1.5 inches.

In another embodiment of the invention the invention is directed towarda capsule for producing a beverage in a beverage production machinecomprising an external capsule wall forming a chamber for the brewing ofan instant beverage, a film cover, a paper filter cup, an extractablebeverage ingredient wherein the external capsule wall has an upper edge,and a vertical flow channel between the wall of the paper filter cup andthe external capsule wall. In this embodiment the film cover is sealedto the upper edge of the external capsule wall, the paper filter cup iswithin the chamber of the external capsule wall, the extractablebeverage ingredient is within the paper filter cup, the external capsulewall includes a diffuser protruding into the capsule chamber from thebase of the capsule, and the vertical flow channel extends the entirevertical length of the wall of the paper filter cup. Furthermore, thevertical flow channel surrounds the entire circumference of the paperfilter cup.

In another embodiment of the invention the invention is directed towarda capsule for producing a beverage in a beverage production machinecomprising an external capsule wall forming a chamber for the brewing ofan instant beverage, a film cover, a paper filter cup, an extractablebeverage ingredient wherein the external capsule wall has an upper edge,and a vertical flow channel between the wall of the paper filter cup andthe external capsule wall. In this embodiment the film cover is sealedto the upper edge of the external capsule wall, the paper filter cup iswithin the chamber of the external capsule wall, the extractablebeverage ingredient is within the paper filter cup, the external capsulewall includes a diffuser protruding into the capsule chamber from thebase of the capsule, the top rim of said paper filter cup is attached tosaid film cover, the paper filter cup is cylindrical in shape, the topdiameter of the paper filter cup is between 1.5 inches and 1.75 inches,the bottom diameter of the base of the paper filter cup is between 1.25inches and 1.5 inches, the vertical length of the paper filter cup is1.25 inches, and the vertical flow channel extends the entire verticallength of the wall of the paper filter cup. Furthermore, the verticalflow channel may surround the entire circumference of the paper filtercup.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the capsule

FIG. 2 is a view of the internal water flow of the capsule

FIG. 3 is an oblique view of the capsule

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the present invention will be described with reference to theexemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be understoodthat the present invention can be embodied in many alternate forms orembodiments.

Referring to FIG. 1, a cut away perspective view of the capsule isdisplayed. The capsule is comprised of an external capsule wall 110, apaper filter 104, a film cover 102, and an extractable ingredient 106.Located at the bottom base of the capsule is a diffuser 112 whichprotrudes into the inner chamber of the capsule. In the preferredembodiment the diffuser 112 is a round protrusion of the externalcapsule wall 110. As seen in FIG. 3, the diffuser 112 is approximatelyone half of the diameter of the base diameter of the capsule. Thediffuser 112 may be of any size or shape to effectuate its purpose. Thediffuser 112 forms a platform in inner chamber of the capsule. The lowerbase of the paper filter 104 rests on the platform of the diffuser 112.

The upper rim of the paper filter 104 is attached to the film cover 102.Between the wall of the paper filter 104 and the external wall of thecapsule 110 is a vertical flow channel 108. The vertical flow channel108 extends around the entire circumference of the paper filter 104.Contained within the paper filter 104 is the extractable material 106.The extractable material 106 may be coffee or tea. The extractablematerial 106 may comprise a mixture of ingredients for the purpose ofcreating a flavored beverage.

The capsule is designed to properly effectuate the flow of hotpressurized water within the inner chamber of the capsule as shown inFIG. 2. The hot pressurized water flows from the water pipe 210 of asingle serve beverage brewing machine. The first flow step 220 the waterflows downward through the extractable ingredient 106. The down flow ofthe water in the first flow step 220 causes the water to impact thediffuser 112. The impact of the water on the diffuser causes the waterto move laterally through the extractable ingredient in the second flowstep 230. The water passes through the paper filter 104 and impacts theexternal capsule wall 110. The impact of the water on the externalcellular wall 110 causes the water to split into two flow paths. Part ofthe water flows downward along the external capsule wall 110 through thethird flow step 240. The pressure of the water causes part of the waterto flow upward along the external capsule wall 110 through the fourthflow step 250. The upward flowing water then encounters the film cover102. When the upward flowing water encounters the film cover, the wateris pushed inward and back through the paper filter 104 in the fifth flowstep 260. After the water passes back through the paper filter 104 thewater encounters the initial stream of hot pressurized water emittingfrom the water pipe 210. The flow of the water then flows through thesixth flow step 270 and flows back down through the extractableingredient 106. In this manner the water recirculates through theextractable ingredient 106. This method causes greater extraction and amore flavorful product. When the brewing process is complete the waterpasses out of holes punched in the base of the capsule by the singleserve beverage brewing machine.

1. A capsule for producing a beverage in a beverage production machinecomprising An external capsule wall forming a chamber for the brewing ofan instant beverage Wherein said external capsule wall has an upper edgeA film cover Wherein said film cover is sealed to said upper edge ofsaid external capsule wall A paper filter cup Wherein said paper filtercup is within said chamber of said external capsule wall An extractablebeverage ingredient Wherein said extractable beverage ingredient iswithin said paper filter cup Wherein said external capsule wall includesa diffuser protruding into the capsule chamber from the base of thecapsule.
 2. The capsule as in claim 1 Wherein the top rim of said paperfilter cup is attached to said film cover
 3. The capsule as in claim 2Wherein said paper filter cup is cylindrical in shape Wherein the topdiameter of said paper filter cup is between 1.5 inches and 1.75 inchesWherein the bottom diameter of the base of said paper filter cup isbetween 1.25 inches and 1.5 inches Wherein the vertical length of saidpaper filter cup is 1.25 inches
 4. The capsule as in claim 3 Wherein thebase of said paper filter cup rests on said diffuser
 5. The capsule asin claim 4 Further comprising a vertical flow channel between the wallof said paper filter cup and said external capsule wall Wherein saidvertical flow channel extends the entire vertical length of the wall ofsaid paper filter cup
 6. The capsule as in claim 5 Wherein said verticalflow channel surrounds the entire circumference of said paper filter cup7. The capsule as in claim 6 Wherein said diffuser is cylindrical inshape
 8. The capsule as in claim 7 Wherein said diffuser is between 0.5inches and 0.75 inches in diameter
 9. The capsule as in claim 8 Whereinsaid diffuser has a diameter of 0.5 inches
 10. The capsule as in claim 9Wherein the top diameter of the paper filter cup is 1.5 inches Whereinthe bottom diameter of the base of the paper filter cup is 1.25 inches11. The capsule as in claim 9 Wherein the top diameter of the paperfilter cup is 1.75 inches Wherein the bottom diameter of the base of thepaper filter cup is 1.5 inches
 12. The capsule as in claim 1 Furthercomprising a vertical flow channel between the wall of said paper filtercup and said external capsule wall Wherein said vertical flow channelextends the entire vertical length of the wall of said paper filter cup13. The capsule as in claim 12 Wherein said vertical flow channelsurrounds the entire circumference of said paper filter cup
 14. Thecapsule as in claim 3 Further comprising a vertical flow channel betweenthe wall of said paper filter cup and said external capsule wall Whereinsaid vertical flow channel extends the entire vertical length of thewall of said paper filter cup
 15. The capsule as in claim 14 Whereinsaid vertical flow channel surrounds the entire circumference of saidpaper filter cup